“Mirror World” exists symmetrically beyond an invisible mirror in space, and is an exact copy of our human world, where only monsters can dwell. Evil monsters frequently cross the mirror and attack our world. Only Kamen Riders, who make a contract with a specific monster and obtain a special power from it, can enter “Mirror World” to fight with the help of an “Advent Card.” Shinji Kido, a journalist, contracts with a dragon and becomes Kamen Rider Ryuki. He fights a fierce battle with evil monsters. Many Kamen Riders appear one after another, and fight to satisfy their own aims. However, only one Kamen Rider can outlive the others. Thus, it is their fate to keep fighting to the last man.
INCLUDES ALL 50 EPISODES + EPISODE FINAL: THE DIRECTOR’S CUT
For thoughts on Kamen Rider Ryuki: The Complete Series, please check out our previous article here.
Video Quality
Kamen Rider Ryuki: The Complete Series arrives on Blu-Ray with a pretty decent AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.78:1. One of the biggest benefits of these new sets has been the ability to see the original Japanese versions of these episodes with optional English-friendly subtitles included instead of a compromised Americanized version of the show. We are not exactly sure of the exact origin of the elements used for this master, but this Blu-Ray set offers a fairly enjoyable viewing experience if you keep your expectations in check. The early 2000s was an odd period of transition to HD in the world of television, and not all elements hold up the best in the modern context.
The series maintains a bright color palette with excellent saturation levels that make the environments pop. Black levels are fairly deep which allows for a pleasant amount of detail in shadows. The bright moments of the show fair the best and do not fall victim to any blooming. Even if the source will not allow for the crispness of a brand new series, Shout! Factory has at least delivered a set with no egregious instances of aliasing or compression artifacts outside of a few darker moments. Some of the special effects are a bit rough, but some find that it adds to the charm of tokusatsu content. Fine detail is great in this presentation when it comes to the production design and the inventive costumes. One of the great joys of these series is the tangible quality of these suits. The Blu-Ray presentation presents the show the best it possibly can.
Audio Quality
Shout! Factory brings us this new Blu-Ray set with a lossless DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio mix in the original Japanese that really does a swell job of capturing the sonic ambitions of the show. The show is provided with optional English subtitles. There does not appear to be much in the way of age-related wear and tear or distortion across these episodes. The dialogue comes though crisp and clear without being clipped by competing elements. The release can dig a bit deep when it needs to in order to bring this action to life. Nearly every episode gives you a powerful action sequence that is presented with an immediacy. Overall, this audio experience gives you exactly what you want.
Special Features
- Kamen Rider Ryuki Episode Final – The Director’s Cut: A 97-minute movie that picks up after episode 46 which attempts to walk back the bittersweet conclusion that divided many fans.
Final Thoughts
Kamen Rider Ryuki is a really strong entry in the long-running franchise as it emerges in the global aftermath of the September 11th attacks with a complex depiction of justice far beyond what the corporate overlords probably expected. The series is quite daring and surprising in the way it builds upon what came before while still finding ways to feel fresh after decades of storytelling. The delicate tonal balance between the different genres at play is handled with care whether it be the broad comedy or the surprisingly dark dramatic turns. Some of the tertiary storylines can feel a bit extraneous, but when the series is operating at its best it is great television. Shout! Factory has released a new Blu-Ray set which brings the entire series together with a good A/V presentation. There are some special features that could have been included that would have made this one extra special, but we are glad to be getting more from this franchise on Blu-Ray. Recommended
Kamen Rider Ryuki: The Complete Series is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray + DVD Combo Pack.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Shout! Factory has supplied a copy of this set free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.